oil on canvas, 101 x 130 cm, signed lower left "A. Hanzen"

PROVENANCE

November 30, 2004, Christie's Russian Paintings Auction; private collection, Zagreb;

Alexis Hanzen (Odesa, 1876 – Dubrovnik, 1937) was a Russian painter and graphic artist who left a significant mark in the development of modern Croatian painting, especially in the domain of landscapes. He was the grandson of skilful Russian landscape painter I. K. Aivazovsky from whom he received his first painting lessons. After fulfilling the wish of his father by graduating in law, he fully devoted himself to painting. He studied painting in Munich, Berlin and Dresden. He was a painter in the Ministry of the Russian Navy in Petrograd. He emigrated to Croatia in 1920 following the October Revolution. He settled in Dubrovnik where he built a house and lived there until the end of his life. His artistic creation is characterised by a blend of impressionistic influences with a lyrical, almost intimate approach to nature. Even though he was active during the avant-garde, he remained in the artistic past of the 19th century and remained faithful to realism and impressionism throughout his life. His landscapes often depict the Mediterranean landscape dominated by the sea, subtle light, and soft colours. French impressionists, especially C. Monet, had an enormous influence on him. However, he developed a distinctive style in which colours were more restrained, and the composition was simpler, with an emphasis on peace and harmony. Human figures rarely appeared in his work. In his typical style, Hanzen depicted romanticised nature during the play of light at dusk or dawn on his oil on canvas. The light on the sea, especially at sunset, is one of the essential elements of Hanzen's works, using subtle colour gradations to capture the atmosphere of calmness and majestic nature. The painting is dominated by a calming scene of nature where the sun illuminates the sea and sky in tender shades of gold, pink, and purple. The thoughtful composition leads the viewer's gaze toward the horizon, making the viewer lose themselves in the infinity of the sea and sky.

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